Muffler



J. REINDL March 26, 1963 MUFFLER Filed July 11, 1960 R. mm m v m mm "Mmf M m WHAN/V 8 McMA/V/GAL Af/ofnejs fbr Anal/cant United States Patent3,082,840 MUFFLER Joseph Reindl, P.(). Box 810, Topanga, Calif. FiledJuly 11, 1960, Ser. No. 42,048 13 Claims. (Cl. ISL-54) This inventionrelates generally to silencing devices and relates more particularly todevices of this character for mufiling the noise of exhausts of internalcombustion engines.

While the invention-has particular utility in the muftling of the noisesof exhaust gases in internal combustion engines, and is shown anddescribed in such connection, it is to be understood that its utility isnot confined thereto.

It is an object of the invention to provide a muflier that is highlyefiective in silencing the noises of the pulsating gaseous current ofthe exhaust of internal combustion engines.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device of thischaracter which will have a cushioning effect upon the gases passingtherethrough.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of thischaracter which will provide for expansion and cooling of the exhaustgases passing therethrough.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter having a minimum of back pres sure.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device of thischaracter of relatively small size.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a device of thischaracter that can be installed in certain of the small cars in place ofor as a replacement of the mufiiers that are original equipment on saidsmall cars.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter that is compact and sturdy in construction.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device of thischaracter that is relatively simple in construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this characterthat may be produced at relatively low cost.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are furthersufficiently referred to in connection with the following detaileddescription of the accompanying drawings which are for illustrativepurposes only and represent certain embodiments. After considering thisexample, skilled persons will understand that many variations may bemade without departing from the principles disclosed and I contemplatethe employment of any structure, arrangements or modes of operation thatare properly within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a muffler embodying the present invention withportions broken away to show the in terior construction;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of an alternative arrangement of thedevice.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the device comprises anouter shell which is shown as being cylindrical although it is to beunderstood that it may be of other cross-sectional shape. The shell 10is closed at the respective ends by end walls 11, each of which isprovided with a marginal flange 12 extending axially in one direction.The wall 11 is secured within the cylinder 10 by any suitable means suchas welding or the like, not shown.

Spaced inwardly from each end is a partition 14, each partition having amarginal flange similar to the flange 12 of the walls 11, and saidpartitions are secured within the cylinder or outer shell 10 by means ofwelding or the 3,082,840 Patented Mar. 26, 1963 like. The Walls 11 andpartitions 14, together with the parts of the shell between said wallsand partitions define inlet chambers 16, with which are connected inletpipes 17, which are also connected with respective cylinders of theengine. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the muffler device isfor a four cylinder engine, so that each of the chambers 16 receivesexhaust gases from two of the engine cylinders. Of course, the devicemay provide muffler means for engines having a greater number ofcylinders or fewer cylinders.

Within the shell 10 and substantially midway between the ends thereof isa mixing chamber 20 defined at its ends by partitions 21, which arespaced apart longitudially reiative to the shell 10.

Chamber 20 is connected with the respective inlet chambers 16 by meansof respective conduits or pipes 22. The outer end of each of the pipes22 is received in an axial opening 23 in a respective partition 14,while the opposite end of each pipe 22 is received in an axial opening24 in a respective partition 21. The ends of the pipes 22 are welded orbrazed or otherwise secured to the respective partitions 14 and 21.

Each of the pipes 22 is provided at its inner end with a helical vane25, which is secured therein by means of brazing, welding or othersuitable means. The vanes 20 are shown as having a twist ofapproximately although said vanes may be otherwise twisted according tothe requirements of particular installations.

Between partitions 14 and 21 are respective partitions 27, which arealso secured to the wall of a shell 10 by means of Welding, brazing orthe like. Partitions 27 are disposed closer to the partitions 14 than tothe partitions 21. Partitions 14 and 27 define outlet chambers 28 havingexhaust outlet pipes 29 connected therewith through openings providedtherefor in the shell 10, said pipes 29 being suitably secured in saidopenings by brazing, welding, or the like.

Between the partitions 21 and 27 are damping chambers 30. About theaxial openings 23 the partitions 27 are provided with a plurality ofannularly spaced openings 31, and the bafiles 21 are provided withsimilar openings 32 which are in longitudinal alignment withcorresponding openings 31 in the partitions 27. The ends of pipes 33 arereceived in the respective openings 31 and 32 and are secured therein byany suitable means such as welding, brazing, or the like. The pipes 33are of substantially smaller diameter than the pipes 22 and said pipes33 are provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings orperforations 35 whereby the interiors of said pipes 33 are incommunication with the chamber 3h.

In one type of installation the inlet pipes 17 are connected to theexhaust ports of respective cylinders of a four cylinder engine (notshown). The exhaustv gases from two of the cylinders are conductedthrough the pipes 17 to one of the inlet chambers 16, while the exhaustgases from the other cylinders are conducted through respective pipes 17to the other chamber 16. These gases then pass through the respectivepipes 22 and into the mixing chamber 20, and said gases are given aswirling motion by the vanes 25. It is to be noted that the pipes 22 arein axial alignment with each other and the exhaust gases dischargetherefrom into the mixing chamber 20 head-on but with a swirlingmovement. There is a damping action in the mixing chamber which acts asa resonator to cut down noise.

The gases in the mixing chamber 20 then pass through the pipes 33 andinto the outlet chambers 28. Pulsations of exhaust gases passing throughthe pipes 33 are .absorbed or damped by the gases in the chambers 30 byreason of the perforations 35 in said pipes 33. Noise is thus furtherreduced or substantially eliminated. The exhaust aosaeao gases are alsocooled during their passage through the device and such gases aredischarged into the atmosphere through the pipes 29, which may terminateat any convenient location.

The device is particularly adapted for use with certain small cars, suchas the Volkswagen, and the like, and may be substituted for the mufflerwith which the cars come equipped or may be used as a replacementtherefor.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an alternative arrangement of thedevice which also includes a shell and end Walls 11.

Adjacent the longitudinal center of the shell 10 there is a relativelylarge mixing or resonance chamber 40, defined at its ends by partitions41, which are secured in the shell 10 by any suitable means, such asbrazing, welding, or the like. Adjacent one of the end walls 11 is apartition 42 which is spaced longitudinally from the adjacent wall 11and defines therewith and with the part of the shell 10 between same, anoutlet chamber 43, which has an outlet pipe 44 which is received in anopening 45 provided therefor in the shell It), said pipe being suitablysecured by means of welding or brazing, or the like.

Intermediate the partition 42 and the adjacent partition 41 is apartition 47 which is spaced from the partition 42 and definestherewith, and the adjacent portion of the shell, an inlet chamber 48which has inlet pipes 49 connected therewith to openings 50 providedtherefor in the wall of the shell 10, said pipes 49 being secured to theshell 10 by any suitable means, such as welding, brazing, or the like.

The partitions 41, 42, and 47 have axially aligned openings 52, 53, and54 for reception of a pipe 55, which is secured in said openings bybrazing or other suitable means. Pipe 55 is also provided at its innerend with a vane 25.

Partitions 41 and 47 also have respective aligned openings 57 and 58 forreception of pipes 60, which are perforated by openings 61, whichprovide communication between the interiors of the pipes 60 and adamping chamber 62, defined at its ends by the partitions 41 and 47.

At the opposite end of the shell 10 and between the other partition 41and the adjacent end wall 11 is a partition 65 which defines the innerend of an inlet chamber 66, and the outer end of a damping chamber 67.

The partition 65, adjacent partition 41 and adjacent end wall 11, haveaxial openings 68, 69 and 70, for reception of a pipe 71 which issecured in said opening by any suitable means, such as welding, brazing,or the like. Adjacent the inner end of the pipe 71 is a vane 25.

The partition 65 and adjacent partition 41 have openings 73 and 74therein, spaced annularly about the axial openings for reception ofpipes 76 which are perforated by openings 77 which connect the interiorsof said pipes 76 with the damping chamber 67.

The inlet chambers 48 and 66 receive exhaust gases .fromthe cylinderswith which the respective pipes 49 are connected. The exhaust gases fromthe chamber 48 pass through the pipes 60 into the chamber 40 andpulsations and noise are absorbed or damped by the gases in chamber 62.The pulsation and noises are also further damped in the chamber 40.Exhaust gases from the chamber 66 pass into the chamber 40 through thepipes 76 and noises and pulsations thereof are damped or absorbed by thegases of the chamber 67. The gases entering chamber 40 at opposite endsthereof are in opposition to each other and there is a turbulence andmixing of said gases, which pass from the chamber 40 outwardly throughthe pipes 55 and 71, respectively. The vanes 25 give swirling motion tothe gases entering the respective pipes 55 and 71 and the gases whichpass through pipe 55 enter the outlet chamber 43 and are dischargedthrough the pipe 44.

The gases which enter pipe 71 are also given a swirling motion by thevane 25 in said pipe 71, and said pipe 71 serves as a second exhaustpipe, which discharges axially from the m'ufl'ler. The respective outerends of the pipes 4 and 71 may be located at any suitable place.

Both forms of the present invention disclosed and described herein areextremely effective in eliminating backpressure on the engine. It hasbeen found that backpressure is completely eliminated up toapproximately 45 miles per hour in Volkswagen automobiles on which theyhave been installed.

The present invention also substantially eliminates noise and pulsationsand provides the desired cooling action for said exhaust gases.

Exhaust gases from the engine are divided or split up into several pathsthrough "the tubes. The outlet pipes or tubes have the same or greatercapacity then the incoming or inlet tubes, and it is to be noted thatthe number of the perforated tubes and the size thereof determines thesound of the exhaust outlets.

The arrangement disclosed in FIG. 3 is particularly advantageous on theVolkswagen and Porsche automobiles, in that it allows the extension ofthe outlets beyond the bumper guards or out at the sides of the car.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description and it is believedthat it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form,construction and arrangement of the parts of the invention withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof or sacrificing all of itsmaterial advantages, the arrangements hereinbefore described beingmerely for purposes of iilustration.

I claim:

1. In a muflier for internal combustion engines: an elongatedcylindrical shell closed at the ends by end walls; a plurality oftransverse partitions secured within the shell and defining, withrespective portions of the shell, a mixing chamber adjacent thelongitudinal center of the shell, a damping chamber at each side of themixing chamber, outlet chambers adjacent the respective outer ends ofthe damping chambers, and inlet chambers between the outlet chambers andthe respective end walls, the transverse partitions in the cylindricalshell having axially aligned openings therein and the partitionsdefining the respective damping chambers being provided with a pluralityof aligned openings between the axial openings and the outer peripheriesthereof, and spaced annularly apart, said openings being of smallerdiameter than the diameter of the axially aligned openings; a pair ofpipes for each inlet chamber, said pipes being secured in openingsprovided therefor in the shell and being adapted to be connected withrespective exhaust ports of an internal combustion engine; an exhaustoutlet pipe for each of the outlet chambers, each of said pipes beingsecured in an opening provided therefor in the shell; a conduit disposedin the openings in the partitions at respective sides of the mixingchamber to thereby connect each of the inlet chambers with the mixingchamber; spiral vanes secured in the respective conduits adjacent theinner ends thereof, and perforated tubes in aligned smaller openings toconnect the mixing chamber with the respective outlet chambers.

2. In a muflier for internal combustion engines: an elongated hollowshell closed at the ends by end walls; a plurality of transversepartitions secured within the shell and defining, with respectiveportions of the shell, a mixing chamber adjacent the longitudinal centerof the shell, a damping chamber at each side of the mixing chamber,outlet chambers adjacent the respective outer ends of the dampingchambers, and inlet chambers between the outlet chambers and therespective end walls of the cylindrical shell, the transverse partitionsin the cylindrical shell having axially aligned openings therein, andthe partitions defining the respective damping chambers being providedwith a plurality of aligned openings therein between the axial openingsand the outer peripheries of said partitions, said openings being ofsmaller diameter than the diameter of the axially aligned openings; aplurality of inlet pipes connected with each inlet chamber; an exhaustoutlet pipe for each of the outlet chambers; a conduit disposed in theopenings of the partitions at each side of the mixing chamber to therebyconnect each of the inlet chambers with the mixing chamber; a spiralvane secured in each conduit adjacent the inner end thereof, andperforated tubes in said smaller openings connecting the mixing chamberwith the respective outlet chambers.

3. In a muffier for internal combustion engines: an elongated hollowshell closed at the ends by end walls; a plurality of transversepartitions secured within the shell and defining, with respectiveportions of the shell, a miX- ing chamber adjacent the longitudinalcenter of the shell,

a damping chamber at each side of the mixing chamber,

outlet chambers adjacent the respective outer ends of the dampingchambers, and inlet chambers between the outlet chambers and therespective closed ends of the cylindrical shell, each inlet chamberhaving at least one inlet and each outlet chamber having an outlet; thetransverse partitions in the cylindrical shell having axially alignedopenings therein and the partitions defining the respective dampingchambers being provided with a plurality of aligned openings thereinbetween the axial openings and the outer periphery of said partitionsand of smaller diameter, said smaller openings being annularly spacedapart; a conduit disposed in the axial openings of the partitions ateach side of the mixing chamber to thereby connect each of the inletchambers with the mixing chamber, and perforated tubes in said smalleropenings connecting the mixing chamber with the respective outletchambers.

4. In a muifier for internal combustion engines: an elongatedcylindrical shell closed at the ends by end walls; a plurality oftransverse partitions secured within the shell and defining, withrespective portions of the shell, a mixing chamber adjacent thelongitudinal center of the shell, a damping chamber at each side of themixing chamber, outlet chambers adjacent the respective outer ends ofthe damping chambers, and inlet chambers between the outlet chambers andthe respective closed ends of the cylindrical shell, each inlet chamberhaving an inlet and each outlet chamber having an outlet; meansconnecting each inlet chamber with the mixing chamber with the outletsof said means in opposition to each other; and means connecting themixing chamber with each of the outlet chambers, said means havingopenings therein connecting the interiors of said means with theinteriors of said damping chambers.

5. The invention defined by claim 4, wherein the means connecting theinlet chambers with the mixing chamher have means therein for impartinga swirling motion to gases passing therethrough.

6. In a muffler for internal combustion engines: a hollo w shell closedat the ends by end walls; a plurality of transverse partitions spacedlongitudinally apart and secured within said shell, said partitionsdefining a central chamber located adjacent the longitudinal center ofthe shell, and outwardly of each end thereof intermediate chambers, andouter chambers; respective conduit means between the outer chambers andthe central chamber; a spiral vane in each of said conduit means; andother conduit means between the central chamber and ambient atmosphere,respective conduit means extending through the respective intermediatechambers and certain of said conduit means being perforated so as to beconnected with said intermediate chambers, said chambers and conduitmeans defining a plurality of pathways from inlets to outlets, thecentral chamber being common to both said passageway means.

7. In a muifier for internal combustion engines: an

elongated cylindrical shell closed at the ends by end walls;

a plurality of transverse partitions spaced longitudinally apart andsecured within said shell, said partitions defining a central mixingchamber located adjacent the longitudinal center of the shell, andoutwardly of each end thereof intermediate chambers, and outer chambers;conplurality of pathways from inlets to outlets of the muf- Her, themixing chamber being common to both said passageway means.

8. In a muffier for internal combustion engines: a shell closed at theends by end walls; a plurality of transverse partitions spacedlongitudinally apart and secured within said shell, said partitionsdefining a central chamber located adjacent the longitudinal center ofthe shell, and outwardly of each end thereof intermediate chambers, andouter chambers; conduit means between the outer chambers and the centralchamber; and other conduit means between the central chamber and ambientatmosphere, respective conduit means extending through the respectiveintermediate chambers and certain of said conduit means being perforatedso as to be connected with said intermediate chambers, said chambers andconduit means defining a plurality of pathways through the shell.

9. In a muffler for internal combustion engines: a hollow shell;transverse walls defining in sequence in said shell four chambers, afirst chamber having an inlet and the next succeeding chamber having anoutlet, the transverse walls defining said next succeeding chamber andthe following chamber having axial openings therein and the transversewalls defining the ends of the last mentioned chamber having a pluralityof smaller openings therein arranged annularly in said walls between theaxial openings thereof and the peripheries thereof, respective smalleropenings in one of said walls being in alignment with respectiveopenings in the other of said Walls; a conduit disposed within the axialopenings and connecting the chamber having the inlet with the chambernext succeeding the chamber having the walls with the smaller openingstherein; and perforated conduits secured in respective aligned smalleropenings.

10. The invention defined by claim 9, including means in the conduit inthe axially aligned openings for imparting a swirling motion to fluidpassing through said conduit.

11. In a muffler for internal combustion engines: an elongated shellclosed at the ends by end walls; a plurality of transverse partitionssecured within the shell and defining, with the central portion of theshell, a mixing chamber adjacent the longitudinal center of said shell,damping chambers at the respective ends of said mixing chamber, inletchambers outwardly of said damping chambers, and an outlet chamber atthe outer side of one of said inlet chambers, said partitions havingaxially aligned openings therein and a plurality of aligned openingsbetween the axial opening and the peripheries of said partitions, thelatter openings being spaced annularly apart in the respectivepartitions and being of smaller diameter than the diameter of theaxially aligned openings, the end wall opposite the inlet chamber alsohaving an opening in axial alignment with the other axially alignedopenings; a conduit disposed in the axial openings of the partitions atone side of the mixing chamber connecting said mixing chamber with theoutlet chamber; a conduit in the axial openings in the partitions andend wall at the other side of said mixing chamber connecting the latterwith ambient atmosphere; and perforated tubes in said smaller openingsconnecting the inlet chambers with the mixing chamber.

12. The invention defined by claim 11, wherein the conduits in theaxially aligned openings have spiral vanes disposed therein.

13. In a mufiler for internal combustion engines: a hollow shell; wallsWithin said shell defining in succession an outlet chamber, an inletchamber, and a damp- 7 ing chamber, the wall at the inner side of theoutlet chamber and the walls defining the damping chamber being providedwith longitudinally aligned openings therein and the Wallsdefining thedamping chamber also having a plurality of annularly spaced openingstherein dis- \posed between the larger openings and the peripheries ofsaid walls, and respective openings in said walls being in alignment; aconduit in the first mentioned openings; smaller perforated conduits inaligned smaller openings, said perforations providing communication withthe damping chamber; and means providing a chamber connecting theoutlets of the smaller conduits with the inlet of the larger conduit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS DayApr. 27, 1937 i liles Oct. 19, 1937 Noblitt'et al. M Mar. 15, 1938Manning Tan. 24, 1939 Maxim Oct. 19, 1954 Reindl Apr. 9, '1957 FOREIGNPATENTS Great Britain May 21, 194-0 Germany Dec. 27, 1957 7 Germany Apr.30, 1959

4. IN A MUFFLER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES: AN ELONGATEDCYLINDRICAL SHELL CLOSED AT THE ENDS BY END WALLS; A PLURALITY OFTRANSVERSE PARTITIONS SECURED WITHIN THE SHELL AND DEFINING, WITHRESPECTIVE PORTIONS OF THE SHELL, A MIXING CHAMBER ADJACENT THELONGITUDINAL CENTER OF THE SHELL, A DAMPING CHAMBER AT EACH SIDE OF THEMIXING CHAMBER, OUTLET CHAMBERS ADJACENT THE RESPECTIVE OUTER ENDS OFTHE DAMPING CHAMBERS, AND INLET CHAMBERS BETWEEN THE OUTLET CHAMBERS ANDTHE RESPECTIVE CLOSED ENDS OF THE CYLINDRICAL SHELL, EACH INLET CHAMBERHAVING AN INLET AND EACH OUTLET CHAMBER HAVING AN OUTLET; MEANS